Roll 'Bama Roll

Alabama left tackle James Carpenter was back on the practice field after missing Monday's workout...

2009-12-29T22:59:08Z

Alabama left tackle James Carpenter was back on the practice field after missing Monday's workout with what must have been a mild case of the flu.

Carpenter was working with the first-string offensive line and appeared fine.

Gentry Estes: Practice Report

Good news on Carpenter that he is back at practice. Now, we just have to hope that the flu bug remains isolated and we don't have some sort of an outbreak before the championship game.

The 1938 Rose Bowl: Alabama vs California

2009-12-29T14:00:16Z

Alabama has played in a total of six Rose Bowl games and Roll Bama Roll is looking back at each of those historic football matches. Today we turn our attention to the 1938 New Year's Day contest versus the California Golden Bears.

The 1938 Rose Bowl marked the fifth time Alabama had been invited to take part in the New Year’s Day classic and the second time they were led there by head Coach Frank Thomas.

Alabama's 1936 football season ended on an unsatisfying note. A scoreless tie against Tennessee was the only blemish on an undefeated campaign but proved enough to cost the Crimson Tide the Southeastern Conference Championship as well as an invitation to a bowl game. Alabama ended fourth in AP polling at the end of the season.

Alabama's 1937 coaches (LtoR): Tilden Campbell, Henry Crisp, Head
Coach Frank Thomas, Harold Drew, Paul Burnham, Paul W. Bryant.

Entering the 1937 campaign the Crimson Tide boasted a couple dynamic players. Senior Leroy G. Monsky was a consensus All-American at guard while fullback Joe Kilgrow earned national honors as well. But the Alabama roster lacked the depth of years past and Thomas knew it.

Throughout the 1937 season, Thomas used the bowl snub to motivate his players. The goal seemed that much closer each week as the Crimson Tide crushed another opponent.

A come from behind win against Vanderbilt in Nashville on Thanksgiving Day sealed the undefeated season. Alabama claimed the SEC title and garnered the invitation to play in Pasadena 1938.

Meanwhile, out on the West Coast, the University of California was fielding one of its strongest squads ever. The Golden Bears were led by Leonard B. "Stub" Allison who had taken over as head coach in 1935. His first season in Berkeley produced a 9-1 record and tie with Stanford for the Pacific Coast Conference title. The 1936 campaign had resulted in a disappointing 6-5 effort but things shaped up quite differently the season that followed.

The 1937 squad was a powerhouse and soon came to be known as the "Thunder Team" due to their physical style of play. No less than five players on the squad ended up earning All-American honors at the end of the season including center Bob Herwig and halfback Sam Chapman.

The Golden Bears plowed through the Pacific Conference during the 1937 season slowed only by a scoreless tie with Washington. During the 10-game campaign Cal amassed a 201 to 33 point differential and racked up no less than six shutouts. The conference title was followed with an invitation to the Rose Bowl.

The Cal team had hoped for a matchup with the defending Rose Bowl champions, the University of Pittsburgh who had completed an undefeated regular season. But the Panthers opted to decline the invitation and the Tournament of Roses committee extended the offer to Alabama.

A record crowd of more than 90,000 was on hand in Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena on Jan. 1, 1938 to see the Pacific and Southeastern conference champions go at it. With clear sunny skies and temperatures at 75 degree, Southern California was at its mid-winter best the 23rd Annual Tournament of Roses football game.

The contest started as a defensive battle as both teams were unable to reach the opposing end zone during the first quarter. For Alabama it proved to be the calm before the storm.

Turnovers proved costly against the powerful Cal squad.

Early in the second quarter Alabama was driving for a touchdown when Hershel "Herky" Mosley completed a pass to Charlie Holm at the Golden Bear’s seven-yard line. But the receiver bobbled the ball and Cal’s Herwig took it from him and killed the Crimson Tide drive.

A bit later in the quarter it was Mosley’s turn to be the goat, fumbling the ball at the Cal 49-yard-line. The Golden Bears then began a relentless drive down the field that the Crimson Tide defense was unable to stop. Twelve running plays put Cal on the Alabama 3-yard-line and a smartly executed end run by tailback Vic Bottari provided the touchdown. A successful extra point kick gave Cal the lead 7-0.

The scenario was much the same in the third quarter when the Golden Bears used the powerful running game to drive the ball 48 yards in nine plays. Bottari scampered the final five yards into the end zone on the exact same end run that had worked in the second quarter. The extra point kick failed this time and Cal was up 13-0 which proved to be the final margin of victory.

Bottari finished the day with 34 carries for 137 yards and two touchdowns earning him player of the game honors.

Whatever success Alabama was able to achieve on offense were hamstrung by turnovers – four fumbles and four interceptions. One fumble killed a Crimson Tide drive at the California one-yard-line and another Alabama scoring drive ended the same way at the Golden Bear’s six. Cal caught more of Alabama's passes than Crimson Tide receivers did (4 interceptions vs 3 completions).

For Cal, the win gave the Golden Bears their first undefeated season since the "Wonder Teams" of the 1920s and claim to their last national championship. Two of the polling services ranked Cal’s undefeated season national championship worthy (although Pitt is the widely recognized title holder for 1937).

Alabama was forced to return to Tuscaloosa from California empty handed for the first time in five trips out west. While thousands of well-wishers had met the team at the train station each time before, this time it was different. The depot was deserted except for the family members of the players and coaches.

"It appears," Thomas told his wife as they drove home. "Nobody loves a loser."

Texas Tech has suspended Mike Leach while it investigates complaints from wide receiver Adam James...

2009-12-29T13:45:05Z

Texas Tech has suspended Mike Leach while it investigates complaints from wide receiver Adam James and his family about how the coach treated the player after a concussion.

James is the son of former NFL player and current ESPN college football analyst Craig James.

USA Today: Texas Tech's Leach suspended, won't coach bowl game

This is very old news by this point, but I figured I would post it because it certainly seems like this is the end of the road for Leach in Lubbock. There is already a lot of bad blood on both sides school over last year's contract negotiations, and now the school suspends Leach and he fires right back with his attorney trying to get the suspension overturned so he can coach. This relationship looks to be coming to an end, so I imagine it's only a matter of time before both Tech and Leach are on the open market.

Sooner' Head Coach Makes A Visit To Tuscaloosa

2009-12-29T13:29:02Z

Sooner' Head Coach Makes A Visit To Tuscaloosa

Oklahoma's Bob Stoops was in T-town last week with a few staff members in tow on the eve of Alabama's first bowl preparation practice. While Coach Saban downplayed the visit, it seems a little unlikely they were here just trying to catch the 19th Annual Tuscaloosa Christmas Afloat parade.

HT: Team Speed Kills

An appellate court ruling in a long-running lawsuit against Reggie Bush opens the door for Bush and...

2009-12-29T05:08:34Z

An appellate court ruling in a long-running lawsuit against Reggie Bush opens the door for Bush and USC Coach Pete Carroll to be questioned about whether the running back received cash and gifts while playing for the Trojans.

The decision, released Monday, represents the latest development in a suit brought by would-be sports marketer Lloyd Lake, who claims he gave cash and gifts to Bush and his family beginning around late 2004.

"This will play out in open court for the public to see," said Brian Watkins, who is Lake's attorney.

LA Times: Court ruling in Reggie Bush case could lead to depositions

This could get interesting. Perjury charges in civil cases are pretty rare, but lying in a deposition is sure as hell not something you do lightly. I imagine there's probably a good reason why the Bush camp fought this legal battle, and why they are still seeking summary judgment to dismiss the case altogether...

Saban on Carpenter: "He’s just sick. He’s got the flu, so we held him out today."

2009-12-28T22:31:08Z

Saban on Carpenter: "He’s just sick. He’s got the flu, so we held him out today."

Twitter: Gentry Estes

I hate to hear the big guy is sick, but thankfully he should be okay in a few days. I'm just glad it was nothing more serious. This could have been much worse.

The Rammer Jammer: CALIFORNIA, HERE WE COME

2009-12-28T19:18:16Z

Doing my research on Alabama's 1935 Rose Bowl I stumbled on the UA Library online digital collection of the old student magazine Rammer Jammer. In particular, I found the Dec. 1934 issue dedicated to the upcoming appearance of the Crimson Tide football squad in the Rose Bowl.

It's got a rousing editorial on the "the invincible crimson tide," an interesting take on the pep rally at the school (including a screed against Huey P. Long) and a rather unique description of the train trip to Pasadena. Interspersed throughout are corny jokes, off color cartoons and more cigarette ads than you can shake a stick at. It's full of great stuff and worth checking out.

At some point after Saturday’s game, Snead (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) will huddle with friends and f...

2009-12-28T19:28:53Z

At some point after Saturday’s game, Snead (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) will huddle with friends and family members to decide if he wants to apply for early entry in the 2010 NFL draft. He remains unsure what type of feedback it would take from NFL officials to convince him to leave school after an up-and-down season marked by a 54.3 completion rate and a 20-17 ratio of touchdown passes to interceptions.

Star Telegram: Mississippi quarterback Jevan Snead considers declaring for NFL Draft

Excuse me while I die laughing...

The Bayer Advanced float for the 2010 Rose Parade will include a nod to Alabama's 1931 Rose Bowl...

2009-12-28T19:16:02Z

The Bayer Advanced float for the 2010 Rose Parade will include a nod to Alabama's 1931 Rose Bowl win over Washington State. The theme of the float "We Are The Champions" is to celebrate the history of the Rose Bowl Game and will feature panels depicting the most famous matchups in the history of the event.

The 1935 Rose Bowl: Alabama vs Stanford

2009-12-28T14:00:17Z

Alabama has played in a total of six Rose Bowl games and Roll Bama Roll is looking back at each of those historic football matches. Today we turn our attention to the 1935 contest versus Stanford that earned the Crimson Tide its fourth national championship title.

The 1935 Rose Bowl marked the start of a new chapter in the history of Alabama football. Under head coach Wallace Wade, New Year’s Day games in Pasadena and subsequent National Championships had become the norm. His departure to Duke University in 1931 left his hand-picked successor, Frank Thomas, loaded with high expectations.

Thomas had been a player at Notre Dame under Knute Rockne and had entered the coaching ranks as an assistant at the University of Georgia. While well recognized for his understanding of the game, Thomas’ only head coaching experience before taking the Alabama job was a five-year stint at the University of Chattanooga.

Yet, University of Alabama president George Hutchenson Denny had faith in his ability and Thomas proved to be the man for the task.

In his first three seasons at the Capstone, Thomas amassed a respectable 24-4-1 record. In 1933 his team was able to capture the Southeastern Conference Championship but a 2-0 loss to Fordham dropped their overall record to 7-1-1 and kept them out of the National Championship picture. Thomas was chomping at the bit all off-season knowing his squad was only going to be stronger the next year.

Paul W. Bryant and Don Hutson

Part of his confidence stemmed from possessing one of the most talented passer-receiver combos the game had ever seen. Quarterback Millard "Dixie" Howel l and end Don Hutson were selected as consensus All-Americans in 1934 for the aerial attack they developed under Thomas’ tutelage. It would become the precedent for the modern passing game.

The other end on the squad was a lanky young man from rural Arkansas everyone knew by the nickname "Bear" – Paul W. Bryant. His faith in his coach was unwavering.

"The thing about Coach Thomas, like every fine coach, was that he was sound," Bryant recalled years later. "He beat you with the things he did best. Occasionally he would have one little new play for the opponent, but basically he preached blocking and tackling and executing."

It proved to be an unbeatable formula in 1934. Alabama rolled to an undefeated regular season that was highlighted by dramatic wins over Tennessee and Georgia Tech. A Southeastern Conference title followed and no less than four different polling systems chose the Crimson Tide as the national champions.

Meanwhile, out on the West Coast, Stanford University was putting the finishing touches on head coach Claude Earl Thornhill’s second season. An assistant under Glenn "Pop" Warner during the legendary coach’s seven-year tenure in Palo Alto, Thornhill took over the head coach slot in 1933 after Warner left for Temple University.

Although Stanford had adopted the Indian mascot in 1930, Thornhill's squad came to be known as the "Vow Boys" for making a pact to never lose to conference rival USC.

They kept the promise in 1933 handing the Trojans their first defeat in 27 games, a 13-7 loss at home. The victory gave Stanford the Pacific Coast Conference championship and a matchup with Colombia University in the Rose Bowl. The Indians subsequently lost 7-0 to the Lions and Thornhill finished his inaugural season with an 8-2-1 record.

Stanford's 1934 team was even stronger than the previous year, boasting three consensus All-Americans; quarterback Bobby Grayson, end Jim "Monk" Moscript and tackle Bob Reynolds.

The Vow Boys kept were good to their word the second year running, besting USC in Los Angeles on Nov. 3 that year. The Indians rolled up a 7-0-1 record and coasted to another Pacific Coast Conference title. As the regular season wrapped up, Stanford was ranked the No. 2 team in the nation and earned the inevitable Rose Bowl invitation.

When Alabama was chosen as their opponent there was a feeling that the Tournament of Roses had made a grave error by selecting the Crimson Tide over undefeated Minnesota. The Golden Gophers were widely viewed as the best team in the country after racking up an 8-0 record and outscoring opponents 270-38 in the process.

Even though numerous polling services tapped Minnesota as the national champion following the close of the college football regular season, the Big Ten Conference prohibited its teams from participating in bowl games. Thus, Alabama got the nod from the Tournament of Roses Committee.

Many Stanford supporters felt the Gophers were a more deserving opponent and used the issue to taunt the Crimson Tide players when they arrived in Los Angeles. Hundreds of Indians fans flocked to the Alabama practices to loudly insist their team was going to whip the squad from the south decisively.

Stanford’s coach was having none of it. "The boys know they've got a fight on their hands," Thornhill said of his players the day before the game.

A record total of 84,474 spectators were on hand in Rose Bowl stadium on New Year's Day 1935 to see the two lauded teams face off at last. The Crimson Tide's luck started early with tackle Bill Lee calling the coin toss. Alabama chose to kick off and Stanford chose to defend the south goal, favored by the light breeze.

Howell (54) prepares to turn the corner on a 67-yard scoring run.

Alabama was slow to get started in the game, amassing just four yards in four plays during the first period. Stanford got a break when Alabama’s Joe Demyanovich fumbled the ball on the 29-yard-line and the Indian’s Keith Topping recovered. A few plays later Stanford’s Bobby Grayson plowed in for the score and Stanford had the lead 7-0.

That situation held until the second quarter when Thomas unleashed the Crimson Tide’s passing attack and Alabama’s offensive exploded for a flurry of scores that Stanford was all but helpless to stop.

Alabama’s second possession in the second quarter began with a bang as Howell returned the kick 25-yards to the Indian’s 45-yard line. Howell then completed passes to Hutson, James Angelich and then Bryant to reach the 5-yard line.

On the next play Howell kept the ball and blasted through the line where he was hit and did a complete somersault in the air. Amazingly, he landed on his feet at the two-yard-line and bounced into the end zone for the score. Riley Smith missed the point after and Alabama cut Stanford’s lead to 7-6.

Stanford then chose to kick the ball. Alabama drove back down the field on their next possession but the Indian’s defense held this time. Thomas called a timeout before Smith was set to attempt the 27-yard field goal. During the wait the kicker overhead Bryant and another player arguing if he could make it after the missed point after a few minutes prior.

"You sonsabitches should have better confidence in me than that," Smith told them then went out and booted it through the uprights. Alabama took the lead, 9-7.

Once again, Stanford chose to kick off to the Crimson Tide. Two plays later Howell made them pay for the decision, carrying the ball around the right side of the line and down the sideline for a 67-yard touchdown run to lengthen the Crimson Tide lead to 16-7.

Any hopes Stanford had for recapturing the momentum before halftime was ended with an interception by Alabama’s Smith giving the Crimson Tide the ball on the Indian’s 46 yard line. With just eight second left in the half Alabama’s Joe Riley completed a 24-yard pass to Hutson who galloped the rest of the way into the end zone. Another missed extra point and the score 22-7 in favor of Alabama.

After halftime Stanford tried to regain the momentum and launched a frantic drive to catch up. A 74-yard Indian drive was topped with a 12-yard touchdown run by halfback Elzo L. Van Dellen Jr. The Alabama lead narrowed to 22-13.

The Alabama defense kept the lead safe despite
the loss of four fumbles by the Crimson Tide.

In the fourth quarter, Stanford fans, upset at the beatdown their team was receiving, began throwing money onto the field during a timeout in hopes of distracting the Alabama players.

Bryant recalled scooping up some of the change in his hands but then having to drop it when he had to tackle a Stanford runner heading downfield on a sweep.

"It was the only decent tackle I made all day," he later said.

The gambit didn’t stop the dynamic combo of Howell and Hutson from striking one more time. On third and 23 from the Alabama 41-yard-line, Howell completed a 59-yard touchdown pass to Hutson to seal the game. The kick by Smith was the final point of the game, 29-13.

Howell finished the game with 111 yards rushing, 164 yards passing and punted six times for an average of almost 44 yards. No less than legendary sportswriter Grantland Rice described his performance as "the greatest all-around exhibitions that football has ever known"

Once again, Alabama’s victory in Pasadena had brought a fourth national championship to Tuscaloosa and the fans in Alabama showed up to show their appreciation. On Jan. 5, thousands of fans mobbed the Tuscaloosa train station to welcome the team back home.

Hutson went on to play for the Green Bay Packers, eventually being enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame. Howell played for the Washington Redskins for several years and was a head coach at Arizona State University as well as Idaho. Both are now in the College Football Hall of Fame.

The next year, Riley Smith became the first Alabama player selected in the inaugural NFL draft when he was chosen second overall by the Boston Redskins.

Bryant, of course, went onto one of the most celebrated coaching careers in college football history.

11 incoming football players could enroll at the University of Alabama early next month

2009-12-28T12:19:11Z

11 incoming football players could enroll at the University of Alabama early next month

Six high school players committed to the Crimson Tide for the 2010 signing class have already satisfied high school graduation requirements, giving them the chance to enroll at UA early and be eligible for spring practice, Three others from last year's signing class who deferred enrollment — Anthony Orr, Darius McKeller and Petey Smith — as well as junior college transfer Brandon Lewis, are expected to do the same. - The Tuscaloosa News

Urban Meyer Coming Back?

2009-12-27T19:26:39Z

More photos » by Rogelio V. Solis - AP

3 days ago: FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2009 file photo, Florida football coach Urban Meyer looks at his offense as they leave the field in the fourth quarter after giving up a touchdown to Mississippi State from an interception during an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss. Meyer resigned Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, due to health concerns. Meyer is calling it quits after five seasons in Gainesville and two national titles. He leaves Florida with a 56-10 record that includes a 32-8 mark in league play and a school-record 22-game winning streak snapped early this month against Alabama. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Browse more photos »

So after all the resignation talk, the Twitter is abuzz that Meyer has decided to stay:

mortreport

Reported to Espn: Urban meyer changes mind, now leave of absence with Asst Steve Adazzio now interim coach.

PeteThamelNYT

BREAKING NEWS: Urban Meyer has had a change of heart. He's taking an indefinite leave of absence and could now return as Gators coach.

Andy_Staples

A Florida recruit just told me word is being passed among committed players that Meyer will announce he is staying when they land in NOLA.

Not entirely sure what's going on with all this, but I think smartfootball is summing it up best:

Disheartening that Meyer might merely take a leave of absence during offseason. Point is he's so stressed during the yr could die.

I’ve had a full life in one respect, but I’ve had a one-track deal in another respect. Whether it’s ...

2009-12-27T12:55:15Z

I’ve had a full life in one respect, but I’ve had a one-track deal in another respect. Whether it’s been good, I’ll never know. That’ll be decided by wiser men later. My life has been so tied up in football that it has flow by. I wish it wasn’t that way, but it had gone by mighty fast. Practice, recruiting, games. Football, football and more football. There hasn’t been much else. It has become a void, as it has to when your next minute, next hour and next day all revolve around one thing. Frankly, I don’t know if that’s good. I know I’ve made a journey, but I’m not sure I’ve enjoyed all of it. You miss a lot of things you shouldn’t miss…

Coach Paul W. Bryant in a 1982 Huntsville Times interview (recounted in Allen Barra's The Last Coach). Bryant stepped down at the end of that season and passed away of a heart attack less than a month later.

Florida coach Urban Meyer, who was admitted to a hospital because of chest pains following the...

2009-12-27T02:43:53Z

Florida coach Urban Meyer, who was admitted to a hospital because of chest pains following the Southeastern Conference championship game, is stepping down because of health concerns.

Meyer has been to the hospital at least twice since suffering chest pains after the SEC title game, a Florida source told ESPN. The heart problems are stress related, not congenital, a source close to the situation told ESPN.

The problem is not life threatening, a Florida source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN's Chris Mortensen. The same source said Meyer will remain in Gainesville in a non-coaching role to be defined later.

ESPN.com: Meyer to coach final game at Sugar Bowl

Wow... what can you even say about this one? This one is a complete and total shock, and it's a situation almost certainly unlike anything we've ever seen before on this level. One of the greatest coaches of his era having to step down in the early part of his prime, and one who is at an elite job with elite talent galore? Again, what can you even possibly say with regard to that? I suppose we have to be glad that it's nothing life threatening, but even so this is just awful news.

And from here, who knows what happens? Charlie Strong may have been the choice before, but he's since taken the Louisville job, and there is no telling whatsoever as to where Florida will go. And what about recruiting? This is all just unbelievable and I don't think anyone has any clue whatsoever as to what will happen from here. Everything is still just a total shock right now.

Saturday Bowl Games Open Thread

2009-12-26T16:27:56Z

After having to sit through a painful football-less Christmas -- seriously, when will I ever get NFL Network back, and how in the world do you have 34 bowl games and not schedule a single one on Christmas Day? -- football finally returns today with a fairly decent slate of games. Marshall v. Ohio kicks things off at noon, and then we have some good match-ups this afternoon and tonight... Pitt v. North Carolina, and Boston College v. USC. Chime in here with all of your comments.

Texas Newspaper Calls for Disqualifying Alabama

2009-12-26T13:43:51Z

Texas Newspaper Calls for Disqualifying Alabama

Ah yes, The Startle-gram. It's so nice to see some things stay reliably the same.

Christmas Day Open Thread

2009-12-25T17:29:19Z

Merry Christmas, everyone. We here at RBR hope all is well in your little corner of the world. Post all of your Christmas related stuff here. Leave some comments and share the score on all of the gifts, food, and hopefully funny stories that happened today.

Christmas Eve Open Thead

2009-12-24T16:54:57Z

We here at RBR hope Santa brings all of you what you want, not what you deserve. There isn't enough coal left for that.

Merry Christmas

Florida has had well-publicized arrests in recent months stemming from traffic charges – including C...

2009-12-24T12:32:52Z

Florida has had well-publicized arrests in recent months stemming from traffic charges – including Carlos Dunlap's DUI charge on Dec. 1 -- but those incidents comprise a small fraction of a team-wide 251 traffic citations in Alachua County, according to Orlando Sentinel research.

These charges range from speeding tickets to numerous cases of driving with a suspended or revoked license, typically a second-degree misdemeanor or, for repeat offenders, a felony.

Orlando Sentinel: Florida Gators fast on the field and in their cars

Well, everyone always says that Florida is a team built on speed. I guess most people never realized how true of a statement that was.

Head coach Nick Saban has already earned $350,000 in bonuses — $125,000 for winning the SEC C...

2009-12-24T12:30:34Z

Head coach Nick Saban has already earned $350,000 in bonuses — $125,000 for winning the SEC Championship Game, $25,000 for being named SEC Coach of the Year and another $200,000 for taking Alabama to a BCS bowl. Saban could earn another $200,000 for winning the national title and $50,000 more if he wins one of the major national coach of the year awards.

Tuscaloosa News: Bowl game payout a boon for coaches, University

I say he still deserves a raise.